Latin cross and Christian flag taken down from school (June 19, 2018)

A parent of a student at Mesquite Independent School District in Mesquite, Texas, notified FFRF that a student choir performed on a stage in front of a large Latin cross, adjacent to a Christian flag on a pole with a cross on top. The venue was reportedly full of other religious iconography, including wall and table art quoting scripture, religious pamphlets and pews full of bibles and hymnals. The parent also noted that there were many alternative, secular venues available to the district at no cost.

On Feb. 6, FFRF Associate Council Sam Grover wrote to Superintendent David Vroonland to issue a complaint regarding the all-city choir concert at Shiloh Terrace Baptist Church in Dallas.

On June 19, district representative Karyn Cummings wrote FFRF to confirm that the “Mesquite Independent School District does not have any choir events scheduled in religious venues for the 2018-2019 school year.”